Outrageous (possible) Louisiana law:From
Louisiana House Passes 'Guns In Churches' Bill:
The Louisiana House passed a bill yesterday that will enable places of worship to allow congregants with permits to carry concealed guns, purportedly so they can protect other constituents in case of a shooting or other violent act.
State Rep. Henry Burns (R), who introduced the bill, told TPM that it gives "a gift of intervention" to churchgoers, and that "we do live in different times" where even a church is "really no safe haven."
House Bill 68 allows churches, mosques, and synagogues to choose to establish a "security plan" for their constituents, permitting members of the congregation with concealed weapons permits to carry guns during services.
What a lame thing to do.
Concealed guns in church? C'mon, let's have them out and proud.
But what's truly outrageous is this: (emp add)
The bill passed the House 74-18 last night, thanks to several amendments that were added since the failed first vote. One of the amendments requires those who are part of the security plan to go through eight hours of tactical training, provided by local law enforcement. The other amendments require that the congregation be notified that the security force exists, and prohibits any guns from being used in places of worship on college campuses.
This is totally unfair. Guns should be allowed in places of worship on college campuses. Let's hope the Louisiana legislature fixes this mistake.
posted by Quiddity at 5/14/2010 04:03:00 AM
Does local LEO assistance in tactical training for defense of church buildings constitute a violation of the separation of church and state?
If the Taliban wanted to develop tactical plans to defend a mosque in Baton Rouge (are there mosques in Baton Rouge?) would the state be compelled to offer assistance?
It's an apt comparison, given that I think it's actually harder to get divorced in Louisiana than it is for a nine year old girl in Saudi Arabia.
J. Goodwin - yes there is a mosque in Baton Rouge.
From:http://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Articles_Essays/Muslims.html
"According to the 2000 census, 2,793 people of the total 412,852 residents in East Baton Rouge Parish, reported having been born in foreign nations with a majority Muslim population." There is the "new Islamic Center of Baton Rouge".
